Or perhaps it was the possession stats which triggered Johnny Russell's claim.

Derby had 67.5% of the ball at the iPro which suggests that Boro, for the most part, were passengers.

In reality what it suggests is that Boro had taken the lead. We know what follows: a disciplined defensive display in which Boro allow the opponents to have the ball but focus on ensuring they don't do much with it.

"You are never really going to go to Derby and dominate possession," he said.

"You have to be patient in your defending, keep your shape and your discipline and not step out to leave them gaps to exploit because that is what they want, to suck you out and leave holes for them to work in."

Derby v Boro possession

That 88th minute strike was one of only four shots on target Derby managed throughout the 90 minutes. Saying that, it was double the number Boro mustered at the opposite end, only forcing former England international Scott Carson into action once after Kike had put the visitors ahead, according to Opta stats.

But in total Boro had more shots - seven - than Derby, who tried to test Dimi Konstantopoulos between the sticks on only six occasions.

That's pretty dismal from Derby's point of view, a side that dominated possession, boasting almost 85% passing accuracy.

Either than or it's an indicator as to just how difficult it is to pick a way through Boro's backline.

"Middlesbrough were so hard to break down because they sat deep and were very compact," said Paul Clement after the game.

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He won't be the last manager to bemoan such difficulties this season.

Derby slung 20 crosses into the box but hopeful balls into the danger area are bread and butter for Ben Gibson and Daniel Ayala - at least they are most of the time.

Alongside him, Ayala made seven clearances, three interceptions and had a 100% success rate in the tackle, although he will have been disappointed not to have towered over Chris Martin and clear the danger in the build-up to Derby's equaliser.